Thursday, 27 April 2017

ARC Review : Happily Ever After Isn't Easy by Jake C. Wallace

How do you start a new life when your old one won’t let go?

Freed
from a marriage he entered because he feared coming out to his
judgmental family, Gabe Reynolds feels his life is just starting—at
forty-three. But what was supposed to be exciting and wonderful has been
nothing but disappointing. The man he’s loved since they were teens
broke his heart—again. Gabe has no clue how to meet men who are looking
for more than one night, much less date them. Add to that his job as a
mental health counselor, helping to keep his mentally ill ex-wife
stable, and caring for children that belong to another man, and he has
little time to look for Mr. Right.

Just as Gabe is giving up,
Brandt Sawyer, with his hard body and gorgeous eyes, crashes into Gabe’s
life. Brandt pushes all Gabe’s buttons—though he could do without the
younger man’s know-it-all attitude. Gabe never thought he could be so
torn between wanting to punch a man and wanting to kiss him. Yet, as he
gets to know Brandt, Gabe sees past the military-programmed ex-soldier
and catches a glimpse of what could be his happily ever after.

But
with a troubled ex and young children involved, Gabe can’t just walk
away from his past. Guilt is tearing him in every direction—maybe even
away from the man he’s falling in love with.

This book has a lot to say. About relationships, acceptance, forgiveness, kids, hope and desperation.
It's quite a long book but even it started slow in the beginning, I enjoyed Gabe's journey to find his happily ever after.
It's an enemy to lover story, not so much of an enemy actually. It was just a different perception about how to 'communicate' with kids with Brandt.
They're quite good in communication those two. And good with kids on their own way.
When the attraction between the two guys became clear there's an ex (exes) problems.
Some misunderstanding happened, of course, but they solved it without too much drama added.
Oh and the sex between Gabe and Brandt is hot (grins), we're all need this anyway.
Overall, this one is a good read, thoughtful and promising.
Recommended.